Steering Committee

The Five First Nations communities in Cape Breton have formed a unique economic partnership to maximize economic benefits from major construction projects happening on the island.

In January 2007, representatives of Cape Breton’s five First Nations communities agreed to create a Unama’ki Economic Benefits (Tar Ponds) Steering Committee. The committee identified the need for a focused approach and worked quickly to establish the economic benefits office. Its current goal is to secure greater Aboriginal participation in the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup and other Cape Breton construction projects as they unfold.

There are 2-3 representatives from each of the five communities on the Steering Committee. The Steering committee meets each month, each time meeting in a different community. The chair of the steering committee is Dan Christmas of Membertou. The Steering committee provides direction to the Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office which has been established in Membertou.

Members of the Steering Committee:

Membertou
Dan Christmas, Chairperson
Darrell Bernard
Trevor Bernard

Eskasoni
Tracy Menge
Stan Johnson
Virick Francis

Potlotek
Kevin Johnson
Jimmy Marshall
Diane Basque

Wagmatcook
Nancy MacDonald
Audrey Peirro

Waycobah
Patricia Bernard
Jason Bernard
Bobby Gould

Chris Googoo – Ulnooweg Development
Gerald Toney – Exec Dir., Mi’Kmaq Education and Training

Owen Fitzgerald – Director, Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office
Eileen Paul – Membertou Entrepreneur Centre

Kyanne Paul – Minutes